Prague, from £99*

The Prague Christmas markets are famous for being the most impressive in the whole of the Czech Republic. They’re also open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day – making Prague a great choice for anyone who wants to spend Christmas day somewhere new.

The market stalls themselves are decorated huts, which sell a variety of handcrafted products including jewellery, wooden toys and dolls dressed in traditional festive outfits.

Foodies will love the barbecued sausage known as klobása, sugar coated pastries called trdelnik and mulled wine.

Rome, from £119

The most famous markets in Rome are filled with hundreds of stalls, selling handmade crafts, decorations, toys, nativity figures, as well as the traditional stockings filled with candy and black coal (which is actually sugar).

Or visit the Christmas market at the Piazzale Ankara, where you’ll find a plethora of charity fair trade products, as well as an ice rink.

Budapest, from £139

Head to Budapest, for traditional Hungarian pastries and plenty of mulled wine

Where: Vorosmarty SquareWhen: November 10 – December 31

The Christmas markets in Budapest are famous around the world for preserving unique Hungarian traditions and folk art, and pride themselves on producing good quality local handicrafts rather than over-produced commercial souvenirs.

You can try lots of mulled wine, Hungarian pastries – which include chimney shaped cylindrical ‘Kurtos Kalacs’ – and street food including sausages and roast chestnuts.

The second Christmas market in Budapest takes place next to the Basilica, and sells a range of quality handicrafts and Hungarian cakes.

There’s also an unmissable Christmas laser projection on the Basilica wall. Open from November 24 to the January 2.

Madrid, from £149

At Madrid’s Christmas market you can indulge in plenty of festive shopping – not to mention some churros or caramelized nuts

Where: Plaza Mayor SquareWhen: November 24 – December 31

The main Christmas market in Madrid is over 100 years old, and features a wide selection of stalls to peruse. Here you’ll discover festive nativity scenes, handmade jewellery and quality handicrafts as well as a wide range of food and drink.

There’s also the illuminated Bijenkorf, which symbolises Christmastime in the city.

The Museumplein and Leidseplein are famous for holding Amsterdam’s ice rinks, and are surrounded by a plethora of chalets and wintery bars.

Be sure to try out the Dutch speciality, fresh oliebollen (variety of dumplings) widely found around Amsterdam’s markets alongside waffles and sausage stalls.
Within the Museumplein markets you can find the Winter Camp which opens its doors on the December 20 and features a wide variety of unique Christmas decorations and gifts.

*All prices are per person for a two night trip, including flights and accommodation.

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